Indiana priest attacked while praying, hate crime alleged

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Police in northwest Indiana said an attack on a Catholic priest who was praying has been forwarded to the FBI as a possible hate crime because the assailant referred to reports of clergy sex abuse involving children.

Merrillville Detective Cmdr. Jeff Rice said the Rev. Basil John Hutsko was assaulted Monday morning at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church. Rice said the 64-year-old priest was taken to a hospital for treatment. CNN reported he had head bruises and was treated and released.

Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch told WBBM-Ch. 2, “The subject yelled out ‘This is for all the little kids.’ I have enough there to say it’s a hate crime.”

CNN reported that Merrillville Detective Sean Buck said Hutsko was attacked in a dim area and couldn’t provide many details about the suspect. Buck said Hutsko lost consciousness during the attack.

Pope Francis issued a letter Monday condemning priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up.

Also, a Pennsylvania grand jury last week reported about 300 priests abused at least 1,000 children over the past 70 years.

Hutsko isn’t named in the report. A fellow priest told WGNTV that Hutsko has never been accused of abuse, and “it’s just a random act of an innocent priest.”

Gary diocesan spokeswoman Debbie Bosak told the PostTribune that clergy are aware of the attack and will take precautions.